3o6 GROUSE. 



and wild wastes, or among thickets of willows or dwarf birches on the banks 

 of marshes and lakes, or in the open woods. The two sexes live during the 

 autumn and winter in separate flocks, each composed of numerous individuals, 

 until the return of spring, when they separate and pair. Some species m winter 

 frequent sandy places during the day, but pass the night in holes in the snow, 

 where they find a comparatively warm and secure retreat. When in danger, 

 they cast themselves headlong into the loose snow, and force their way beneath 

 the surface with remarkable quickness. The plumage of most of the species 

 varies with the season. In the spring they begin to lose their pure white 

 winter feathers, which become of a dark colour as summer advances. While 

 feeding, they usually call to each other in a loud tone, and sometimes utter a 

 sort of cackling cry, almost like a coarse and mocking laugh. Their food con- 

 sists of the tender tops of heaths and berries of various Alpine plants, which 

 they are capable of finding at some depth beneath the surface of the snow. 

 Their nests are slightly formed of a few stalks of heaths and grasses, some- 

 times on the bare earth, concealed behind stones. The female usually lays 

 from eight to fourteen eggs. The male leaves the care of incubation to his 

 mate, but assists her in rearing and feeding their young progeny. 



Sub-Family VI. 

 THE SAND GROUSE. PTEROCLIN/E. 



General Characteristics. — Bill short, with the culmen curved to the tip, and the 

 sides compressed ; the wings and tail lengthened and pointed ; the tarsi longer than 

 the middle toe, robust, and more or less covered with feathers ; the toes moderate 

 and robust, the lateral toes more or less united to the middle one, and the hind toe 

 rudimental. 



These singular-looking birds inhabit Southern Europe, Africa, 

 and Asia, living in dry sandy deserts, bare or rocky plains, or bushy 

 and woody grounds, especially in the neighbourhood of low hills. 

 They are usually found singly or in pairs, except when those of 

 the desert resort to water, which they do in flocks. When flushed, 

 they rise with a low chuckling call, take a short flight, and alight ; 

 then, if followed, run along the ground to a short distance, and 

 with difficulty rise again. Others, however, according to Dr. Smith, 

 " fly to a great height, and suddenly descend when they approach 

 the water or their feeding-grounds ; and sometimes the descent is 

 not commenced till they are directly over the spot on which it is 

 their purpose to alight. On such occasions they are obliged to 

 make a semicircular or circular sweep before they can reach the 

 desired locality. Their food consists of hard seeds, bulbs, and 



